Words of Hope Daily Devotional
Where Are We Rooted?
Read: Colossians 2:6-13
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (vv. 6-7)
If a plant in a pot does not flower, then we have to carefully examine it. We can check if we have the proper pot, check the soil filling the pot, check the roots of the plant, and whether we have placed the plant in the right spot to receive enough sunlight. Then there is ongoing care—constantly tending to it to remove the dry leaves and feed it with fertilizer.
It is the same with our Christian lives. Without the constant nurturing of Bible reading, prayer, and worship, and the watering of the Holy Spirit, we cannot grow, nor bloom and bear fruit. Being rooted in Christ is important not only to thrive, but also to be firm in our faith, unshaken by different human ideas or philosophies.
God Almighty made it possible for us not only to be planted in Christ through believing in him, but also to bloom in him, because of him, for his great love for us. By living together with Christ (v. 6), we have the whole divine fullness in us (v. 9). Praise be to God! How encouraging and wonderful!
As you pray, ask God to give you a desire in your heart to abide in Christ Jesus, and grow in him. Confess the ways that you are not following God’s ways and ask him to strengthen you.
About the Author
Silvana Tafa
Silvana Tafa finished her studies on French language and Literature in Lausanne, Switzerland. After she returned to Albania, she served with a local church alongside her husband. Now she gives private French lessons and takes care of her three sons in Tirana, Albania. Silvana loves nature, traveling, discovering new things, reading and writing.
These devotionals were first published in Fjalet e Shpreses, Words of Hope’s Albanian devotional. Learn more about Words of Hope Albania, and our work in training and equipping local Christian leaders to write and share the Word of God.
The Sword of the Spirit
Read: Hebrews 4:11-13 . . . and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Eph. 6:17) On a parody news website, a facetious article reported that a congressional study had concluded the sword is mightier than
The Helmet of Salvation
Read: Acts 16:25-34 . . . and take the helmet of salvation. (Eph. 6:17) What’s the most important piece of God’s armor? If I had to pick one, I’d have to say it’s the helmet. We can survive blows to
The Shield of Faith
Read: Matthew 17:14-21 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one. (Eph. 6:16) Let’s say we have withstood an initial assault of the enemy. Give God
Readiness
Read: Romans 10:14-15 . . . and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. (Eph. 6:15) You don’t wear high heels to the beach or flip-flops to a formal dinner. Footwear
The Breastplate of Righteousness
Read: Matthew 5:17-20 Stand therefore . . . having put on the breastplate of righteousness. (Eph. 6:14) I grew up watching baseball in the fifties, when home plate umpires had huge black inflatable chest protectors stuck up under their chins
Stand With the Belt of Truth
Read: Ephesians 6:13-17 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth. (v. 14) Brother Lawrence (1614-1691) wrote, “we must do our business faithfully without trouble or disquiet, recalling God to our mind tranquilly as often as we find it